Over The Rainbow

*The title of this post was taken from the Judy Garland song of the same name*

When I was in high school, our family doctor remarked how thin-framed I was. I believe his suggestion to me was to pack a couple of bagels into my pockets every day, eat them in the morning and see if that would help me gain weight.

I didn’t pack any bagels.

And I didn’t gain much weight.

Fast forward some twenty plus years later and I’ve managed just over 1lb of weight for each of those years since.

Going back just 8 years ago, I had to buy a fitted white polo for some work I was doing and thought I’d go to my local department store to get something there.

I asked the salesperson if he could get me a men’s small, white fitted polo to try on. He kindly did and I opened it up to hold it against myself.

To put it nicely, it probably could have fit two of me.

I said, “I was looking for a small.”

“That is a small, sir”

“A small, fitted polo.”

“That is a small, fitted polo sir.”

“Fitted to ME.”

To which he suggested, “Maybe you should check the boys section”

Well, shit.

Lo and behold, I found the answer to my question as a youth X-Large.

There’s a way to feel strange when you’re (at the time) in your 30’s.

Over the years, I’ve considered gaining weight.

It would be hard not to be persuaded it’s the right thing to do.

Even skinny guys like me get shamed in the fitness industry. Most of the guys in my industry running around topless and showing off their physiques outweigh me by no less than 20lbs of lean muscle.

But honestly, beyond the vanity of saying I did it, I’m not sure of any other upside. There is no promise that my bloodwork would look better, that I would sleep better, that my wife would love me more or that my son would think I was a better dad. There are also no injuries or impairments I’m dealing with that would be significantly improved upon if I gained said weight.

All in all, although it seems like a nice thought to imagine myself more filled out, I’ve never really had this burning motivation to do it…yet.

However, YOU are not me.

You likely have different goals, a different background, and I doubt your doctor ever told you to eat two extra bagels a day to fix your weight issue.

No matter what you need to do for yourself, start with your motivation.

Why does your goal matter?

How important is it?

Does your life legitimately improve once you reach your goal? If so, how?

Will you be healthier?

Would reaching your goal allow you to be on less (or no) medication?

Would you have less pain in your joints?

Would you breathe easier?

Would you have more enjoyable sex?

Would you be happy with your reflection in the mirror when you step out of the shower?

Would you be able to play freely with your kids/grandkids?

These questions matter. And they could matter a lot.

In fact, if you have answers to any of these questions, you may want to write them down. And revisit those answers.

Maybe you have more important reasons why your goal matters. Write those down too.

And actually, your reasons could be very superficial. There’s no wrong. There is just what works for you.

Folklore would tell us there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

For me, maybe there is a pot of gold; some unrealized benefit to gaining those pounds that have eluded me for the last twenty years. Should I find that motivation and inspiration, maybe I’ll shoot for it.

For you, maybe your “pot of gold” is more tangible. The benefits are apparent. The results are within your reach.